ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan head swimming coach Mike Bottom recently announced plans for the first-ever Michigan Water Carnival, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at noon at Canham Natatorium. Admission is free.

"The Michigan Water Carnival will be unlike any other swim meet that has been put on before," Bottom said, adding that he would like to see it become a yearly event. "We want swimming and diving to be a spectator-friendly sport, not just something that's watched every four years. This event will allow us to show off our speed, power and athleticism in a totally different and unique way."

The Michigan Water Carnival will feature different events not in a normal collegiate competition and is designed to be fun and entertaining for fans and meet participants alike. Both U-M teams will compete in the meet, along with Minnesota (men and women) and Oakland (men). The 13-event schedule features events like the 4x75-yard medley relay, the 50-yard underwater dolphin kick and the 200-yard freestyle (with fins).

Bottom and the rest of the Michigan coaching staff will provide instruction and training tips between events. The Water Carnival will also feature appearances by the U-M Dance Team, the Friars and the Fanfare Band. Both the men's and women's teams will be signing autographs at the conclusion of the meet.

Michigan opens the regular season with a co-ed dual meet Saturday (Sept. 29) against Wisconsin. The meet will begin at 10:30 a.m. inside Canham Natatorium.